Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1887-05-12
LET MERCHANTS AND FAR
MFRS REASON TOGETHER
AND ACT WISELY.

In view of the enormous quantities OF
butter, cheese, bacon, lard and many
other farm products annually imported
into this territory; the fact is presented
that bad system Of management pre-
walls. The fault lies not alone with the
farmer, but with the trader as well.
You ask the farmer why he does no.
make butter, cheese and bacon; he re-
plies that there is no market, that the
merchants will not buy unless they can
get the articles for less than they pay for
the foreign products. That often when
they come to market with their produce,
the merchant will pretend that the mar
ket is already over stocked and so de-
PROBATE values.
You ask the merchant why he does
not buy Of the farmer, he replies that
they do not make good article; that
they do not furnish a regular supply;
that they want more for it than the
market will warrant. Now, there must
be truth in these statements, for the fact
exists that our markets are empty of
domestic products. Go into the store
for some nice fresh butter and cheese
ooh yes, We have it, it is brought to
you, the butter With big IN" on the
end Of it, which means, as you know,
Margarine, or perhaps their nice fresh
butter, is California barreled, its age
cqualed only BY its rancidity. Ask for
lard, you are supplied with some, brought
all the way from Chicago; bacon, "nice
fresh breakfast just in from Oregon.
This is certainly most unhealthy
state of business, carrying destruction to
the welfare Of the community. What
would you say Of an individual who had
to buy every year, more than no sold,
or rather who bought wha. he could
lust as we'll produce. Why, that it was
evidence OF the the grossest unthrift.
What difference there is in principle
as applied to communities, none in the
least. in either case it tends to poverty,
Is a remedy wanted; surely we need
it, then apply it. When the rasnmp-
ton Of specie payment was discussed,
some said it could not be done, except
by long gradatory process, while Others
said it was necessary only to resume, so
tho resumption act was passed and the
thing was accomplished. Let me sug
gest something in all candor. There
must be something like concurrent
action by the merchant and farmer.
The farmer must consent to patronlze
home production, tho latter to sell to
him at the fair market value. Let all
tho merchants in town resolve to dis
crimiuate in favor Of domestic products,
letting it be understood that all articles
must be first class, for which the full
price, as compared with market reports
will be paid they can afford to pay even
more to one who is customer, for the
money, instead of being sent out of tie
community, is kept in circulation, and
what that particular customer may no,
return. is returned by some one with
whom he has dealt This principle once
put in operation would induce the far
mcrs to make steady effort to keep up
the supply.
! rather think it devolvcs upon the
merchant to take the initiative, at any
late so far as the proposition is con
cerncd. There would then be oppor
tunity for contract to be made ahead SC
that each would know what to depend
upon, of course at certain seasons mar
kets would be very dull, prices low, bu
that would be no excuse fer the pro
Queer to fail in the supply; that line o.
policy would excuse the merchant from
paying the high price in the dull season
there must be mutual effort to wors
out this problem for the benefit of tn
community. Some way must be fouu,
to developc our splendid resources anc
to keep as much value as possible a
home.
/ have heard merchants complain be
cause people would send abroad fo
merchandise, rail atone for not patroniz
ing home industry, never needing that
themselves were sending to fore;g,
markets for that to be had at home-th,
rule must be equally applied, for one ha
no right superior to another. | woul,
say to the merchant then, pursue tha
system that will encourage the farmer
for upon his labor depends the prosperit,
of every other ind,s,r, ,,d,r ,bo .,o
And to the farmer; practice variet
husbandry; raise little beef, a littl,
pork, little mutton, make good butter
good cheese, join the farmers club, tax,
agricultural and other newspapers especial
ly your local paper, keep posted on tn,
market reports, and don't be clan
consumer.
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GuAYMAs, Mex, May S.--A fearful